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Forest conservation in Indigenous territories and protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon

Author

Listed:
  • Yuanwei Qin

    (University of Oklahoma)

  • Xiangming Xiao

    (University of Oklahoma)

  • Fang Liu

    (University of Oklahoma)

  • Fabio Sa e Silva

    (University of Oklahoma)

  • Yosio Shimabukuro

    (São José dos Campos)

  • Egidio Arai

    (São José dos Campos)

  • Philip Martin Fearnside

    (National Institute for Research in Amazonia (INPA))

Abstract

Conflicts between forest conservation and socio-economic development in the Brazilian Legal Amazon (BLA) have persisted for years but the effects of Indigenous territory (ITs) and protected area (PAs) status on deforestation there remain unclear. To address this issue, we analysed time-series satellite images and qualified annual forest area in the BLA under different governance and management regimes. Between 2000 and 2021, areas classified as ITs or PAs increased to cover 52% of forested areas in the BLA while accounting for only 5% of net forest loss and 12% of gross forest loss. In the years (2003–2021) after establishment, gross forest loss fell 48% in PAs subject to ‘strict protection’ and 11% in PAs subject to ‘sustainable use’. However, from 2018 to 2021 the percentage rate of annual gross forest loss in ITs/PAs was twice that of non-designated areas. Our findings reveal the vital role of, and substantial progress achieved by, ITs and PAs in Amazonian forest conservation as well as the dangers of recent weakening of Brazil’s forest policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuanwei Qin & Xiangming Xiao & Fang Liu & Fabio Sa e Silva & Yosio Shimabukuro & Egidio Arai & Philip Martin Fearnside, 2023. "Forest conservation in Indigenous territories and protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(3), pages 295-305, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:6:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1038_s41893-022-01018-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-01018-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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